Santa Anita
Santa Anita: Closer Looks for April 26, 2014
Race 1
| Vanlose Stairway |
| Have to respect the performance she showed up with in her career debut when putting together a big late run to get the job done, and the runner up from that race returned to win next out here on 3/22 going 6 1/2f over turf vs. MSW rivals with a 74 Beyer; this isn't a bad spot for her to meet up with winners for the first time. |
| Loan Savant |
| Her turf form hasn't been bad, but this late running miss might prefer more ground to work with than today's 6 1/2f assignment offers; she lacks early speed and there's a chance that the early pace in here doesn't heat up all that much. |
| Princess Genevieve |
| She's another in here who might be looking for more ground to cover than 6 1/2f, but she did run well from off the pace going 6f over turf in her career debut, and she'll certanly appreciate the drop in class for this; Bejarano has won with 22 of 71 (31%) mounts for this barn in 2014. |
| Cause Im a Bigshot |
| She's run well in her three starts without blinkers, and when seeing what she did sprinting over the main track at Del Mar in her career debut, it's interesting to see her making her first start in a turf dash. |
| Amnesia (IRE) |
| Import is an interesting option to consider in here, and it might be worth checking out the result of the seventh race at Keenland on Friday as Fashion Fund was scheduled to run; she drops in class and gets Lasix for her first start in America. |
| Famous Alice |
| This filly has a nice pedigree for turf and she hasn't run a bad race from three starts, and she even earned a stakes placing in her latest outing; she might be able to grab the early lead in here and Van Dyke has won with 6 of 22 (27%) mounts for this barn in 2014; must consider. |
Race 2
| Next Book |
| Just missed in each of his starts including most recently at this level; inside draw means he'll again be firing so he's under the gun from the bell while facing the guy who nosed him last out as well as some fast working newcomers; contender, but he has his work cut out for him. |
| Oil |
| Sire gets 14% first out winners and the dam won 2 sprints prior to dropping 7 winners including SW and 175K earner Winter Warning; barn hasn't had much luck so far this year, but this guy does boast some solid drills and a capable journeyman pilot takes the call. |
| Handsome Pete |
| Sire gets 8% winners from his debut runners and the dam was a 4 time winner (3 sprints) prior to dropping this guy; don't know much about the barn and the offsite drills don't offer many clues as to his ability. |
| Bold Fantasy |
| Makes his first start of the season off a couple of slow recent upstate breezes for a barn that hits at a weak clip with its comebackers; wasn't beaten much the last time he entered the gate at Fairplex, but have to think he'll need this one. |
| Uncle Luck |
| Rolled on to get third money when offered for a tag in his troubled career debut last month; gelding has worked ok of late at Los Al for the rise to this level and he is kin to a pretty good one in SP Planet Sunshine, a 4 time sprint winner and 221K earner; worth a look. |
| K Thirty Eight |
| Fought hard from the bell in each of his 2 starts including most recently when nosing out today's rail drawn runner for the place spot; gelding returned to work rather quickly for an outfit that's done well with limited starters this year; move towards the outside can help him relax from the bell and that could make the difference; one to beat. |
| Nearcolus |
| Sire gets 15% first out winners and the dam was a limited route winner who dropped a couple of limited winners; they've asked him for run from the gate in his last few drills for this but don't know a lot about this barn and the pilot named has had a rough season thus far. |
| Chattering Gambler |
| Sire is 5 for 30 with his firsters and he's the first foal to race out of a SW dam who won a couple of sprints and banked 239K; recent drills are solid and a capable bug gets aboard but the barn hasn't done so well of late right out of the box. |
| Sir Perservere |
| Sire hits with 12% of his debut runners and won twice sprinting before dropping 3 winners from 4 foals to race; barn can get them ready to fire first out and some of this guy's drills are ok; Bejarano taking interest is certainly a plus. |
| Burnaroundtheedges |
| Sire gets 9% debut winners from his offspring and the unraced dam dropped 2 winners from 3 foals to race; starts from the outside slot which can help keep him out of trouble and he does boast some very quick, long drills that suggest there's ability here. |
Race 3
| Salt of the Earth |
| Yet to finish in the money and there are some significant gaps in the profile; latest workout was only modest and it is doubtful a sudden turnaround is in the cards; cannot endorse until some firepower is shown. |
| Kanuck Kowboy |
| Rushed up into the pace after breaking slowly from the fence last month; his sire won multiple G1s and 1.66 million; the dam won 1 of 13 and 17K; this is her only foal to compete; can upgrade with the equipment change. |
| Ice Time |
| Newcomer hails from Benchmark who won a trio of G2 routes and 636K (his offspring have scored in 69 out of 510 debuts); the dam won 5 of 36 and 179K; among the winning siblings is 71K earner Stone Hot. |
| Let It Be Minister |
| Progeny of Best Minister, who won 4 of 20 and 254K, are zero for 36 as far as winning their first test; the dam won 3 of 19 attempts and 64K; there are no winning siblings to highlight; some fair a.m. drills turned in earlier this month. |
| Dead Easy |
| Tries claimers for the first time after being on the shelf just over a year; the latest workout at five-eighths showed a bit of progression and the overall drill pattern is evenly-spaced; can awaken under these surroundings. |
| Grey Is Best |
| Flashed much more in the way of early speed in his last assignment here; six-year-old could be a classic case of the third start of the bench theorem; should offer a generous price on the board once again. |
| Nonno Tunaga |
| The removal of blinkers last time out seemed to help immensely with the endurance levels; the trouble today is that he may face immediate pace pressure from the right flank; the extra distance today may also pose problems. |
| Dehere Is Gone |
| In comparison to the field, he was chasing a strong pace in the last few assignments and fits very nicely against this group; latest half-mile drill is definitely upbeat and he should be an early presence at the very least. |
| Fifteen Black |
| Caught up in a duel in early March, he faded at the top of the stretch; the early fractions today do not figure to be as intense and that will be to his benefit; likely to be heavily overbet, however, because of the class descent; mixed signals. |
| Boom Boys |
| Beginner hails from multiple G2 victor Strong Contender who captured 618K (his descendants have won 6 of 82 initial starts); the dam won 2 of 16 and 28K; among the winning sibs is 46K earner Princess Traci. |
| Geldautomat |
| A remote showing in his last appearance; faced better company in both prior attempts at this oval and in one of those was bet down heavily to 5 to 2; tries this 20 grand level for the first time and cannot be discounted. |
| Sir Dadnger |
| Opened up quickly in his maiden voyage before stopping cold; his sire won a G1 and 423K while the dam won 2 of 5 appearances and 58K; among the winning siblings is 54K earner Lady in the Park; shorter trip today should help. |
| Time for a J |
| Interesting item if escaping the AE list as he makes the powerful drop from special weights; his sire won 3 of 16 and 150K while the dam won 2 of 15 and 67K; this is her only foal to make it to the races. |
| End of Time |
| Exits the same race as Sir Dadnger which featured sharp early fractions; the blinker removal today can afford him a chance to relax off the leaders and if he can improve the effort on 2/22, he should be in the thick of things. |
Race 4
| Ciao Bella Luna |
| She didn't break sharply the last time at this distance; inside again and she has the zip to take advantage of this cozy slot; despite breaking in the air two back, she still tried hard; she has been started and stopped on and there are others with designs of the lead here; not sure the race sets up all that great for her. |
| Unusual Hottie |
| She has the 3 races to draw from and the blinks seemed to help in last; she was coming off a much lower Beyer before she won this race last year in Inglewood; probably just overmatched 2 back; look for rider to take a little hold, try to save ground, follow a hot pace and attempt to reel them all in. |
| Unusual Way |
| Proven in $100K stakes land and key off the Grade 2 effort last July and she's a player; show horse in the 2014 closer won next out in a $60K stakes, then was out of the money in a Grade 1; consistent, dangerous and rider is 35% the last year or so when getting a leg up from Bonde. |
| Halo Dolly |
| Sharp, consistent and classy; nothing wrong with winning half of the turf outs and although she has speed, she doesn't need the lead to succeed; she has been expertly managed and a repeat is well within the realm. |
| Kathleen Rose |
| Proven fresh, but she could be pitched a tad too high at this point in time; she stalked to no avail in the other stakes try and this race comes up pretty dicey; she should sit a nice stalk and rally trip, probably needs the race of her life to get unsaddled. |
| Journey On |
| Pushed into the Grade 1 when main meet opened, has not been all that sharp since; she did have to run every step of the way in last and just had nothing left; been handled by a couple of today's foes; not sold on chances. |
| Dancingtothestars |
| She is taking the same route she took last year going into this race and just posted a slightly higher Beyer; key off the 2014 opener and she fits here; 5th finisher in last took an N1X next out and the winner repeated in a Grade 3 with a 92 Beyer; like the spacing of the drills of late; can't be counted out. |
Race 5
| Rousing Sermon |
| His best game is when stalking the speed but has shown none of his normally-good tactical speed in last 2; the runner-up and 7th-place finishers from last posted 107-103 Beyer speed figures in next-out OP-CT-Grade 2-stakes wins; capable on best; exits a co-best-last-race Beyer; he posted the field's co-best Beyer in an October-SA dirt Mile. |
| Soi Phet |
| Makes his 1st start of the year for an 0-for-12 fresh trainer since 2013; the 7-0-1-2 fast-track record does nothing for the confidence level he will end the dirt drought facing stakes company; posted a co-field-best Beyer at longer on SA dirt. |
| Storm Fighter |
| Projects to own the best-gate speed here with Toledo Eddie; exits a co-best-last-race Beyer produced right on the lead; helps that he projects to make the front here; just 3 races ago he was entered in the SA Derby; shown up strongly as a 4-year-old and is the one to catch and beat. |
| Lakerville |
| Was also entered Friday in an SA-1 Mile and one eighth turf 100K-stakes race; today would be his 1st-ever dirt attempt but has worked on the SA-main track like he will like it; the trainer is 1-for-29 since 2013 with turf-to-dirt starters; beat the 3-back show finisher who Beyered 90 in a next-out GG alw. win. |
| Kate's Event |
| Not a great sign that the rider of last and 4-time-win jockey Bejarano opts for Rousing Sermon; won this event last year when it was contested on BHP synthetic at shorter; owns a good dirt record including racing well over today's SA dirt; have mixed feelings. |
| China Prince |
| Would be more concerned about the 48-day layoff if the trainer wasn't hitting with 21% fresh winners since 2013; BHP-win rider sides with Kate's Event for this; obviously his dirt credentials are overshadowed by his better numbers on both turf and synthetic surfaces. |
| Toledo Eddie |
| Would have to scratch out of a much-easier GG alw. event on a synthetic surface at 6F today to compete here at longer on dirt; 6-for-9 career record on dirt is noted however his last race was on SA dirt was his lowest Beyer since May when showing nothing; pace presence has stamina questions to answer at 1 Mile; helps Storm Fighter if he doesn't compete here. |
Race 6
| Heat Flash |
| Gelding has had his chance; note show horse in last was over 3 clear; he still has a shot to have a decent career as full bro Ballistic Heat took a minor claiming stakes at 7 and handled grass; Blanc got a chance to figure him out; he may have just found the right field. |
| Duke of Cornwall |
| Colt was educated in the off slow debut; dam was 0 for 4; lone half sis lost twice; got a feeling we have not seen the best of this racer. |
| Prospector Alley |
| Tough beat last time and the show horse graduated next out in a maiden $30K seller with a 67 Beyer; 2/23 winner repeated in the $200K Echo Eddie with an 84 Beyer; Grade 3 winning 7 for 28 dam earned nearly $500K, was 2nd in only try on grass; the sibling that won Dan and Sheila took 3 of 26, earned $160K, lost only turf out; respect. |
| It Is Living Water |
| Look for runner to show much more speed on the stretch out; 5 for 32 dam earned over $100K, was 2nd twice in best turf results; this is her first to race; 2/22 place horse graduated next out at this level with an 80 Beyer; interesting. |
| Know Plans |
| Bobbled and off slowly twice; maybe the blinks will wake him up; dam was 0 for 5; several multiple race winners in the family; 2 cashed on grass including full sister, triple stakes winner and near $450K earner Lightmyfirebaby; must display more. |
| Warrensgoldenyears |
| Affirmative 4 for 27 with first-time turfers; sire lost all 4 starts; 1 for 7 dam took a dirt sprint; both siblings won, neither tried grass; may need easier to show top talent. |
| Durango Flier |
| Good Journey 10 for 53 with first-time turfers; sire didn't run at 2, took a Grade 1, was turf only, banked over $1.7 million; 2 for 6 dam banked $60K, lost only try on grass; lone half sis to race Kathleen Rose won 3 times on grass, banked nearly $135K; has some things to iron out. |
| Eddie's First |
| If you figure he just needed the last, you can make a case for a move forward; dam took one sprint, was 2nd once on grass; top sibling Waveline took a stakes, handled grass, banked $325K; look for pilot to send and try to steal it. |
| Pyrotechnics |
| Even on the drop, fans didn't bite to the tune of 90-1 and they were right on the money; tough to pull the trigger here. |
| Freddies Dream |
| Steadied in the debut, expect better effort; dam took 2 sprints, was out of the money twice on grass; lone half sis was third in best moment; could be compromised by the slot today. |
Race 7
| Marks Mine |
| Speedy filly returns to the scene of her near miss down the hill a few months back after wiring open company stakes foes on Tapeta footing up North; she draws inside so expect her speed will be on display and though she looks to face some early company a clean break could give her an edge from here; .500 career hitter on dirt may have to be run down. |
| Could Be Trouble |
| Turns back to sprint after proving little threat to the top 2 at this level last month; gray has had time to get over the try and this outfit does boast excellent numbers with its turn backs; though she may just be better on the green she figures to be doing her better running in the lane. |
| Sudden Sunday |
| Wired an overmatched bunch when sent long in the Golden Gate off the turfer a few weeks back and now she'll get back in with restricted stakes foes; mare wasn't beaten much in either of her last 2 cracks down the hill at the level and she was an ok second in her lone try on dirt; these may just be too much for her to handle on this footing. |
| Yes She's Unusual |
| Hit the board in each of her tries with cheaper winners at the stand but now she'll tackle a much tougher task; gray will need to make a solid move forward to step with what the better gals in here have run; have to side with others on the win end. |
| Quizzical |
| Steps in with restricted stakes runners after tiring from her pace efforts against open company in her last 2 starts; mare does get off the fence for this which could help temper her early interest and she has run pretty well over the track in the past; exotics threat at a decent price. |
| Our Pure Creation |
| Seeks her third straight score over the track while moving back in to face statebreds for the first time since late fall; filly has sharp tactical foot and could find herself in an excellent pace tracking spot behind the front runners today; with Bejarano staying put she looks to be a huge threat to make it 3 in a row here. |
| Warren's Veneda |
| Fresh filly has been working lights out of late for her return from nearly 5 months on the shelf; both of her dirt tries were very good and though she was no match for the top 2 finishers she did easily best the rest in the G2 Bayakoa at Hollywood the last time she saw the track; she pays the price for her solid stakes score 2 starts back with the weight impost and maybe she's better next time, but they'll have her to beat here. |
| Top Kisser |
| Loses Bejarano as she makes her first start back from 9 months on the shelf for this sharp layoff outfit; filly has only sprinted once and now she'll try dirt for the first time; Monday's drill suggests she'll have little trouble with the new footing and she has shown the ability to track and finish going long which can help her from here; consider. |
Race 8
| Control Seeker |
| He is an 8-time turf winner but last-rider Bejarano leaves for Volkonsky; likes to be forwardly placed but hasn't made the lead since October, 2012; owns a co-field-best Beyer speed figure on a synthetic surface; exits his lowest Beyer since July, 2011. |
| Woodmans Luck |
| The 14 minor awards on his resume suggests he often races well in defeat; last win was on BHP grass at shorter than today's event; his 5th-place finish in the 2012 Cal-Cup Classic on dirt represents a co-field-best Beyer; reunites with the win rider which adds to the appeal; the 2-back winner repeated in a TUP-35K event with an 87 speed figure. |
| Awesome Prospect |
| Has never raced this far which is the big issue; will the big-closing kick at 1 MIle be as pronounced at 9F?; won his grass debut graduating on SA green when racing close to the lead; defeated the 2-back runner-up finisher who Beyered 77 in a next-out SA-starter alw. win. |
| Harness Mentality |
| The previous-longest-distance test of his career was his lone victory; exits back-to-back career-best Beyer speed figures in his 1st-two SA grass starts but tired behind similar rivals so the added yardage here favors others; has worked well on dirt for this. |
| Sizzlin' Joe |
| Winner at today's distance on SA grass 2-back when defeating the runner-up finisher who Beyered 81 in a next-out SA-starter alw. win; reunites with the win rider for this where he sat midpack; there isn't much gate speed going here so may race closer to the pace than usual. |
| Volkonsky |
| On the lead 2-back then broke last in most recent; last turf start was a key-race loss defeated by the runner-up and show finishers; they Beyered 91-86 in next-out SA-OPC wins; win rider is on Sizzlin' Joe but keeps a high-percentage pilot who is 0-for-6 with 4 runner-up finishes riding this guy. |
| Deraptor |
| Sire is 15-for-120 with 1st-turf starters; is the 1st foal out of an 0-for-1 grass dam; late runner's local debut on dirt was dull while hoping the surface switch will provide answers; worked smartly on dirt for this; would be a shocker. |
| The Mad Hungarian |
| The only 3-year-old in the field has never made the lead during career but projects to race on or near the front in this paceless event; sire is 2-for-10 with 1st-turf starters; 1-for-11 dam did not race on grass; her only other foal to race did not attempt turf; another who is asked to travel his longest-distance test ever. |
| Gallant Charm |
| 0-for-8 during career on turf but has often raced well in defeat; was edged by the 3-back winner who repeated in an SA-40K claimer with a 91 Beyer; late-running style suggests the added yardage for this will help the cause as he stretches to 9F for the 1st time. |
Race 9
| Swiss Lake Yodeler |
| Filly is G3 SP at the trip and she'll return to the scene of that third place finish after failing to handle the synthetic footing at Turfway Park in an ambitious stakes try last month; filly was pretty good in each of her local route tries and those efforts put her right in the thick of this one; expect she'll be able to find a spot close to the front runners from this inside slot as the top pilot gets back aboard; spots them all weight but looms the one to beat. |
| Rovenna |
| Speedy sprinter stretches out after kicking away from the pace duel to score at the level in her return from the brief freshening; filly has twice finished behind the gal drawn to her immediate inside here, including once in her lone main track route try; don't know that she's going to love the added trip, but she does figure to be on the lead from this starting slot and will probably have to be run down. |
| Wonderful Lie |
| She was visually impressive in breaking her maiden from a wide spot first out in January and subsequently failed to fire behind some of the gals who return again in this spot; both of her sibs have only won sprinting, but the dam was a 4 time route winner so maybe the added trip helps move her up some and she has had some time to prepare for the stretchout; price will be improved. |
| Magic Spot |
| She's come to hand since being stretched out and moved to the lawn this season and now she'll tackle her toughest test yet against these stakes runners; her lone dirt spin wasn't bad as she did find herself in a wide spot that day and she will get a switch to a solid journeyman pilot for this; her half mile drill earlier in the month says that in her current form, surface won't be an excuse. |
| Anniversary Kitty |
| Beaten last out chalk will try dirt for the first time in this spot for an outfit that boasts a nice recent winning clip on the surface switch; filly showed improved early interest last time after using a solid late kick in each of her first 2 starts so maybe that's a sign she's on the improve; local main track works aren't enticing, but she is kin to several main track winners, 2 of whom won going long, and the price will be better today; contender. |
| Versye |
| Pressed the pace and took over in her debut score here 7 months ago and now she'll try winners in her first start since that day; barn boasts weak numbers with returnees and now they'll ask this gal to negotiate 2 turns first time back; one of her winning sibs did so routing and her sire was a 2 turn, juvenile G1 SW; maybe she takes to the trip but she still looks to have her work cut out for her here. |
| Shakeitupbetty |
| Broke through to break her maiden sprinting off the freshening last time and now she'll try winners in her initial route attempt; interim drill wasn't particularly quick and the dam's side of the pedigree is all sprint so don't know that today's stretchout will move her up all that much; have to side with others on the win end. |
| Harlington's Rose |
| Outside drawn filly was runner up to one of today's foes while sprinting in her return to stakes company last time; the number she earned 2 back jumps off her page, but she's probably not really that good and her route tries have certainly left something to be desired; consider. |
Race 10
| Frensham |
| Connections thought enough of him to try the stakes last time; he has the speed to be dangerous and would expect pilot to send hard and try to steal it; half sister Puff Pastry did win on grass once; backers should at least get a brief thrill. |
| Alert Bay |
| Love fact he has speed but is not speed crazy; gelding has fired every time and the show horse 2/23 cashed next out in a $40K optional at GG; 1 of 3 stakes winners in the field, he worked solidly last Saturday but distance is a concern; he was getting tired in the last mile win and dam ran a tiring third at this distance in 2006 beaten over 3; far too sharp not to take seriously. |
| Aotearoa |
| Back on preferred surface and maybe he'll be more focused with the blinks; like the spacing of the return drills and the last race came back live; place horse, 3 slots over, took the El Camino in next, 5th finisher took an N1X and the winner took the San Felipe and SA Derby since; back to the original pilot; check out the drill on the 13th; rates upset glance. |
| Awesome Return |
| Toss the dirt races and the form brightens a bit; like the foundation drill on the 13th and colt has shown a nice turn of late foot; off a career Beyer, he seems to be improving hourly; should give a very good account of himself. |
| Kukaluka |
| Closed into the pedestrian splits for the lone win; only in the money once since and it was a short field; he's been a bad actor at the gate of late and that must be addressed; value should be there. |
| Tamarando |
| Bertrando about 12% with first-time grass runners in a 406-horse sample; sire won multiple Grade 1s, won a $60K stakes on grass; G3 placed dam was 2nd in best turf moment; he is proven going 9 furlongs on the synthetic, has won a Grade 1 and he has a right to thrive on grass as his sibling Luckarack won 4 times on grass and banked nearly $550,000; the other positive about Tamarando is that his stablemate Pray Hard can soften up the other speed horses; 2/15 place horse cashed next out in the G1 Blue Grass with a 97 Beyer; should be rolling hard late. |
| Pray Hard |
| Kafwain about 5% with first-time grass runners in a 142-horse sample; sire took a Grade 2, earned over $700K, never turfed; dam took 2 routes, was 2nd in only turf try; this is her first to race; 2/27 show horse cashed next out in a $40K starter before running out of the money; figures to at least muddle the pace. |
| Patriots Rule |
| Basically flattered rival on the direct inside last time; agile enough to overcome the horrible trip in last; lack of speed may not hurt runner if rider can get over and save a little ground and then make the one run; last angle to think about: this pilot is 25% the last year or so when getting a leg up from Diodoro. |